I have a HSBC account in the UK and use their internet banking.... but after a bad experience some years back have never used them to transfer cash over to Thailand. Back then they transferred some money for me (not Thailand) and used a secondary clearing bank and I got hit by 2 charges. The second charge was another £30 on top or £25 I had already paid, it was not mentioned and I felt I had been cheated... or perhaps they were being 'economical' with the details.
Recently, when on their web page I noticed they were touting cheap international transfers....... and as I needed a top-up, I was tempted.
Anyhow, I gave it a go and was quite happy.
I immediately saw there was NO option to send 'Sterling'..it was baht or 'Sterling Equivalent', aha, they will screw me on the rate I thought, but quoted rate looked reasonable. All Expats live by the rule.....send your home currency, not baht, as the rates here are better.
But maybe that is becoming a thing of the past.
Anyhow, a few days ago, Wednesday morning (Thai), initiated the transfer, that afternoon, alert that it was in my Thai account.
No apparent deduction in Thailand, possibly because baht arrived.
Rate was 54.65.(The same as Bangkok bank would give me for a TT with a 500 baht deduction).
So a pretty fast transfer and a good rate I thought.
UK Bank charge £4.
Disadvantage, maximum single transaction amount £2000, but you can make multiple transfers up to £50k.
Times are changing and the old 'rules' may no longer apply as local banks look to increase profits.
This rate is the same as TT exchange were offering for cash.
It was so straight-forward too.